Folding toothbrush



May 12, 1925. 1,537,467

A. G. INGLE FOLDING TOOTHBRUSH Filed June 23. 1924 S 0 I a Ww gygPatented May 12, 1925.

UNITED STATES;

PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR G. OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

roLnmo 'roorniaaosm Application filed June 28, 1984. Serial No.753L760.v

To all whom it may co rwem:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR G. INGLE, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State ofOre on, have invented certain new and usefu Improvements in FoldingToothbrushes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in foldin toothbrushes and has for its principal 0%ject to provide a means for normallyreceiving the brush head when the same is not in use in such a manner asto prevent any foreign substance from coming in contact therewith,whereby the brush is rendered sanitary.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding tooth brush ofthe above mentioned character, which provides a means whereby the samemay be readily carried in the pocket of a person and may further beeasily and quickly swung to an op erative position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding tooth brush ofthe above mentioned character, wherein means is normally provided forholding the brush against accidental displacement from the casing inwhich the brush head is normally disposed when not in use. Means beingfurther provided for holding the brush in an extended position toprevent the swinging movement thereof while the same is in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding tooth brush ofthe above mentioned character, which is simple in construction.inexpensive, strong and durable and furthermore adapted for the purposesfor which it is designated.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparentduring the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved folding tooth brushshowing the same'in an extended position, and

Figure 2 is a sectional'view of the casing showing the brush in a foldedposition with the brush head disposed within the casing.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown thepreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates thehandle portion of a tooth brush,

the same having the brush head 2 carryin the bristles. 3 provided on theouter en thereof in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 1. Theinner end of the handle is pivotally supported as illustrated at 4 onthe upper forward end of a suitable casing 5, the top of which is openand the same bein of such configuration as to cooperate witi in themanner clearly illustrated in Figure 2. For the purpose of normallyholding the tooth brush in a folded position within the casing wherebythe back of the handle and brush head will form a cover for the casing,I provide the spring clip 7 which is carried by the brush head and thelatter cooperates with a suitable notch 8 provided in the rear end wallof the casing. When in the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawing.the device may readily be carried in the pocketof a person and will notoccupy much space.

When it is desired to use the tooth brush, the same mav be swung on thepivot 4 so that the handle and brush head will be dis posed outwardlywith respect to the casing in the manner as shown in Figure 1 and thecasing will then act as a handle for facilitating the proper use of thetooth brush. In order that the tooth brush may be supported in asubstantially rigid position when extended. I provide the handle portion1 adjacent the pivotal end of the same with the projection 9 and theprojection is provided on its inner face with a suitable notch 10 forreceiving the free end of a spring 11 which is carried by the adjacentend wall of the casing 5. The spring 11 will fit in the notch 10 andthereby hold the handle and the brush head of the tooth brush againstswinging movement on the pivot 4 so as to permit the tooth brush to beproperlv and efficiently used.

The device may be constructed of any suitable material such ascelluloid, rubber, or i any suitable metal, and I do not wish to terialwhich may be used. A tooth brush and casing therefor of the abovementioned character, may be manufactured at a very low cost and willfurther be strong and durable. The simplicity of the same enables thetooth brush to be readily folded into the casing when the same is not tobe used and may be further swung to an outward or extended positionwhenever it is desired to use the same.

lVhile I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is tobe understood that "arious changes in the size, shape and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is c In a foldingtooth brush, comprising in combination, a handle, a brush head on theouter end thereof, a casing hin edly associated with the inner end ofthe andle, the casing having its top open and ada ted to receive thehandle and brush head W en the latter is in a folded position, means forholding the same in position in the casing, means for holdin the handleagainst swinging movement w en the same is in an extended position, saidlast means comprising a projection on the inner end of the handle,

spring carried by the adjacent end of the casing for cooperation withthe notch in the projection.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ARTHUR e. INGLE.

30 the same being provided with a notch, and a I

